Spine

The spine (backbone) is composed of 33 interlocking bones called vertebrae that are separated by soft, compressible discs and supported by many different ligaments and muscles. It is divided into five segments: cervical (neck), thoracic (upper and middle back), lumbar (lower back), sacrum (pelvis), and coccyx (tailbone). In each segment, the vertebrae are numbered from top to bottom. For example, a C3 is the third vertebra in the neck area, while a T6 is the sixth vertebra in the thoracic area.

The vertebrae in the spine normally form three curves. These curves allow the spine to absorb shock as you move.

By

Healthwise Staff

Primary Medical Reviewer

William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine

Specialist Medical Reviewer

Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics

Last Revised

December 14, 2011

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